Support of superconducting coils for MRI systems

Abstract

A resin-impregnated superconducting coil has axially-extending coil mounting arrangements that include features embedded within the structure of the resin-impregnated superconducting coil, between layers of turns of the coil.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An assembly, comprising:
 a plurality of resin-impregnated superconducting coils, each one of the rein-impregnated superconducting coils comprising a plurality of axially-directed tensile support members that are embedded within and situated between layers of turns of a respective resin-impregnated superconducting coil, 
 wherein the plurality of axially-directed tensile support members are circumferentially spaced around a respective resin-impregnated superconducting coil with spacers circumferentially spaced between the plurality of tensile support members, each one of the plurality of axially-directed tensile support members including a mounting feature, and the plurality of tensile support members radially alternating with the spacers; and 
 a plurality of coil support bars, each one of the plurality of coil support bars being inserted through a respective passageway of each one of the plurality of resin-impregnated superconducting coils, each one of the plurality of coil support bars including a respective corresponding plurality of thrust blocks such that a retaining surface of each one of the plurality of thrust blocks makes contact with an axial end-surface of a corresponding one of the plurality of resin-impregnated superconducting coils. 
 
     
     
       2. The assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the assembly is mounted within a cryogen vessel, and
 wherein each one of the plurality of coil support bars extends between end walls of the cryogen vessel. 
 
     
     
       3. The assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a central coil captivated by retainers on each side and not including thrust blocks. 
 
     
     
       4. The assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein each one of the plurality of coil support bars is curved to match a curvature of coil windings associated with the assembly. 
     
     
       5. An assembly, comprising:
 a plurality of resin-impregnated superconducting coils, each one of the plurality of resin-impregnated superconducting coils comprising a plurality of axially-directed tensile support members that are embedded within and situated between layers of turns of a respective resin-impregnated superconducting coil, 
 wherein the plurality of axially-directed tensile support members are circumferentially spaced around a respective resin-impregnated superconducting coil with spacers circumferentially spaced between the plurality of axially-directed tensile support members, each one of the plurality of axially-directed tensile support members including a mounting feature, and the plurality of axially-directed tensile support members radially alternating with the spacers; and 
 a shield coil attached to at least one of the plurality of resin-impregnated superconducting coils via support elements that are mounted to non-coil regions of the at least one of the plurality of resin-impregnated superconducting coils. 
 
     
     
       6. The assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein the support elements extend in a radial direction that is perpendicular to that of the plurality of axially-directed tensile support members.